Sea Turtles of Dominica

Dominica is ideal for observing three types of globally endangered sea turtles that nest on its beaches. Leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs between March and August. Hawksbills and Green Turtles come ashore between May and October. The best turtle viewing times are at night and into the early morning as that’s often when they come ashore or the hatchlings leave the nest.

The nesting females are protected by law and they are monitored very carefully by the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation Organization Inc (DomSeTCO). Their trained guides can tell you more about the turtles and take you to an active nesting site. DomSeTCO is made up of a network of small groups across the island, such as the Nature Enhancement Team (NET) located in Rosalie.

Quick Facts

Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on Earth and most widely distributed.

Type: ReptileDiet: CarnivoreAverage life span in the wild: 45 years (est.)Size: Up to 7 ft (2 m)Weight: Up to 2,000 lbs (900 kg)Protection status: EndangeredDid you know? The largest leatherback ever found was an 8.5-ft-long (2.6-m-long) male weighing 2,020 lbs (916 kg) that washed up on the west coast of Wales in 1988.Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

Type: ReptileDiet: CarnivoreAverage life span in the wild: 30 to 50 years (est.)Size: 24 to 45 in (62.5 to 114 cm)Weight: 100 to 150 lbs (45 to 68 kg)Protection status: EndangeredDid you know? Young hawksbill turtles are unable to dive deep and spend their early years floating amongst sea plants near the water’s surface.Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

Type: ReptileDiet: HerbivoreAverage life span in the wild: Over 80 yearsSize: Up to 5 ft (1.5 m)Weight: Up to 700 lbs (317.5 kg)Group name: BaleProtection status: EndangeredDid you know? Like other sea turtles, the green turtle cannot pull its head into its shell.Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man: